Ludhiana, September 14
“People should not only love their mother tongue but also pay due regards to the national language, which binds our diverse country into a single cord,” said Minister of State for Jails, Housing and Urban Development Malkiat Singh Birmi.
He was addressing participants at a state-level Hindi Divas celebrations at the Government College for Women here today. The function had been organised by the Punjab Hindi Parishad in tandem with Punjab National Bank and New India Insurance Company.
Mr Birmi said India was a diverse country with different races, cultures and religions. Although no language could be forced upon the people, the need of the hour was to promote the language and correspond in it. “By doing so we would not only strengthen the nation but also affirm our love for the country”, he stressed.
The minister said in view of development in the field of science and technology there was an urgent need to learn English in addition to Hindi. English was one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and all latest books were printed in the language. He added that while learning Hindi reflected our love and respect for the nation, learning English opened up new vistas of employment abroad.
The minister also honoured 50 personalities for working towards promoting the language. They were presented with a shawl and a medal each. Certificates and medals were also given to 300 students for topping in various examinations in Hindi.
Mr Gurcharan Singh Galib, MP, emphasised the need for promoting the use of the national language.
Mr Madan Lal Hasija, Director, Languages Department, said the centre had been spending Rs 1,000 crore to promote the language. He pointed out that the growth of the language was possible only if the regional languages were promoted. He said the state had been honouring eminent figures in the field of Hindi literature with an award of Rs 1 lakh.
Mr N.K. Arora, a former chief secretary and a member of the Human Rights Commission, said Hindi ranked third among the most widely spoken language after Chinese and English.
Mr Yashpal Bangia, president of the parishad, said he had taken up the issue of having a Hindi University and a Hindi Sahitya Academy in the state.
The Postgraduate Department of Hindi of the SDP College for Women and the Khalsa College for Women celebrated Hindi Divas at the respective colleges here on Saturday. At SDP College, the function began with a dance performance by Vibha and Ritambra on “Vande Matram”. Nancy, Poornima and Nidhi recited poems in Hindi on patriotic themes. Ms S. Verma, Principal, said the celebration of the divas infused a feeling of national unity and solidarity among countrymen. She awarded prizes among those students who had scored more than 80 per cent marks in Hindi. At the Khalsa College for Women poetry recitation and declamation competitions were organised. Dr Virinder Kaur Thind, Principal, said it was important to use the language as a medium of instruction.
Arya Samaj, Model Town, observed Hindi Day here on Sunday. A function was held in Model Town which was attended by a number of teachers who dweltt on the utility of Hindi. Mr Vijay Syal, general secretary of the Arya Samaj, said that it was Hindi which united the people of India to rise against the British Empire and prompted them to join the freedom struggle. Meanwhile, a press note by the Arya Samaj said that it would hold a yoga and acupressure camp from September 18 to 28 in the satsang hall of the samaj in Model Town. The acharya would also treat patients of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, gout and stomach ailments from 9 am to 12 noon and from 3 pm to 5 pm.
